On today’s show… Can diesels make a quick comeback in the U.S.? One group says yes, BMW finally lets Android users into its infotainment system and we’ll show you the highlights from the New York auto show. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.

This is Autoline Daily for March 23rd, 2016.

DIESEL SALES COULD RECOVER FAST
Volkswagen can’t sell its diesel-powered cars in the U.S. because it’s still working on a fix for the engines. And that’s really hurt the overall market for diesels. Through the first two months of the year, sales are down 17% but despite that the Diesel Technology Forum predicts diesel sales will recover over the next few years. One reason is diesels will help automakers meet stricter fuel economy regulations in the coming years, especially pick-up trucks. Another reason, there could be up to 24 new diesel powered models introduced in the U.S. over the next year. While diesels are down, if you exclude VW, including Audi and Porsche, diesel sales are only down 4% for the year. So it’s easy to see why it sees that trend reversing.

LET ME IN!
BMW announced that Android users will finally be able to control certain apps through its iDrive system. The option has been available to Apple users since 2011. Owners will have to download the BMW Connect app and connect their phone via Bluetooth. The first app integrations include popular music services iHeartRadio, Spotify and Pandora. For now it’s only available to 7 Series owners, but BMW says “app integration for all other vehicles equipped with BMW Apps and MINI Connected will follow at a later date.”

SPOTIFY JOINS FORDPASS
And speaking of Spotify, the streaming service has joined McDonald’s, 7-Eleven and BP in Ford’s new mobility experience platform, called FordPass. The automaker is aiming to understand people’s needs and develop experiences and ways to help them move better. FordPass is free to Ford vehicle owners and non-owners and will launch in April in the U.S. and Canada.

Mazda and Lincoln wow the crowds in New York. We’ll have that right after this.

MAZDA SHOWS FASTBACK MX-5 MIATA
While we’ve seen an MX-5 Miata with a retractable hardtop before, Mazda gave us a bit of a surprise yesterday with the unveiling of the MX-5 RF, which stands for retractable fastback. With the push of a button the roof can open or close at speeds up to 10 km/h. The back window also opens as well. But the trunk space is still the same as the soft-top model. Unfortunately, no word on when the RF will hit the market.

LINCOLN UNVEILS NAVIGATOR CONCEPT
Lincoln also wowed the crowds yesterday with this beautiful Navigator concept. It features the automaker’s new signature grille, a strong character line down the side and taillights that stretch across the entire rear end, somewhat similar to the new Continental. Lincoln is focusing on three key areas with this concept; spaciousness, quietness and more power. Under the hood is a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 that produces more than 400-horsepower. And along with a whole handful of safety and convenience features, the concept has the most spacious interior Lincoln has ever made. While we’re certain things like the power gull-wing doors won’t make it to production, if the new Navigator looks as close to this concept as the Continental did to its concept, Lincoln could have a real winner on its hands.

Coming up next, Buick upgrades the Encore and Mercedes comes out with a coupe version of its GLC SUV.

BUICK ENCORE GETS A FACE LIFT
Buick introduced the refreshed 2017 Encore yesterday. As you can see the small crossover gets a new front-end appearance, including new LED headlights. And the reworked interior now sports a less clustered center stack. New standard features include push-button start, keyless unlock on the exterior door handles and an 8-inch touchscreen. The Encore is certainly an important vehicle to the brand. It accounted for nearly a third of all Buick sales in North America last year. Sales have been up for the first two months of 2016 and the refreshed 2017 model goes on sale this fall.

MERCEDES GLC SLICKS ITS HAIR BACK
Mercedes just revealed what it’s calling a coupe version of its GLC crossover. I say that because while the styling does resemble a sports coupe, it still has four doors, so it’s not a traditional two-door coupe. The new model is over 3-inches longer and 1.5-inches lower than the regular GLC. It comes standard with all-wheel-drive and is powered by a four-cylinder engine that cranks out 241-horsepower. The AMG version comes with a 3.0L V6 twin-turbo under the hood, which helps move the car from 0 to 60 MPH in under five seconds. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The car is also lighter thanks to the use of aluminum in the body and components for the suspension. The GLC Coupe goes on sale early next year.

But that brings us to the end of today’s show, thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.
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Interesting vehicles in New York.
A Miata hardtop? I think the Miata as a pure convertible should not be messed with. They should have tweaked the fastback a bit, stuck a rotary in is than called it the RX-7.

Did the Model X influence Lincoln’s design to fit gull wing doors to the new Navigator? Let’s hope this doesn’t become a trend.

I’m pretty sure diesel sales will expand in the coming years but I don’t think passenger cars nor mainstream CUVs will be adding much. Those will be part of the electrification process. Trucks will see the largest segment growth as automakers develop smaller diesels for 1/2 trucks.

“if you exclude VW, including Audi and Porsche” so what about Mercedes-Benz? (see link).

“A new lawsuit brought against Mercedes-Benz states that the company’s existing diesel engines pollute up to 65x (sixty-five times) more than the legal amount when it’s cold out. The claim is that when the temperature drops below 50 degrees fahrenheit the nitrogen oxide reduction system simply turns off.”

Also, have you seen the EU list of non-conforming diesels? The last time I checked in October 2015, it was across the board in Europe.

Sure the USA, large displacement, diesel pickups, vans and trucks are OK. But the small displacement passenger diesels are pretty much DOA. So is the Chevy Cruz diesel back in the market?

Sean, do you…or does anyone else agree that the steering wheel design on the new Navigator concept leaves a lot to be desired?
To me, it is terribly plain and non-sporty…and reminds me of something we might have seen in the ’80′s.
C’mon Mark, your Lincoln interior designers can surely do much better than that!

I don’t understand why BMW, and now M-B, keep making these oddball tall lifted hatchbacks, like X4, X6, and now GLC “coupe.” They don’t appeal to hatchback fans like myself, and based on X6 sales, they don’t appeal to much of anyone else either.

#14 I realize that a few people like them, and, unlike some others of the genre, you can even get an RWD X6. Still, none of these vehicles seem to sell well. With a base price of over $60K for the X6, it’s not surprising.

I expect diesel trucks will experience a sales growth, especially after the oil supply dwindles and gas prices increase a year from now. But a real 4 cyl. diesel is needed specific to small and mid-sized trucks which is designed for mpg’s and less focus on torque.

My “69″ MGC is almost complete and I only have to hand stich the leather to the steering wheel to finish the interior. It sure has been a long time coming!

Loved the Navigator concept! A little long-ish to me, but I’ll take it. While the front end (like the recently introduced Lincoln Continental) does seem to bare a strong Bentley Flying Spur influence, the look of this concept is a Million miles better looking than Bentley’s own SUV, the Bentayga!!!

Yes, the Town Car was great for Lincoln and it’s image and bottom line. It was identifiable and different from the competition. They ran the model too long and non-limo buyers lost interest when they went to buy a new car. ” Why buy something that I already have” Lincoln failed to invest money in the “winner” they had and didn’t modify or carry-on the theme with new products. It became the “Cash Cow.”

Trust me, I didn’t drive one, but I used to love Lincoln’s distinguished products. They were somewhat unique and competed well with Cadillac for those who preferred American made luxury products. I couldn’t afford one, but it was a “dream” to always have one. No more!!